we received confirmation yesterday that the united states president barack obama will be in the country, possibly at that memorial service. you know, he moves in a vast cordon of security, and that complicates things tremendously. we have to prepare for what's expected to be very large crowds when nelson mandela's body will be flying state. and there is so much preparation to be done ahead that have. we're not sure we have ever seen an event of this magnitude in south africa, up to and including the recent world cup, and we are still concerned somewhat in our ability to manage this in a way that would be fitting to the memory of the man. >> our correspondent for the "mail" and "guard unanimous" newspaper. thanks very much. moving on to other news now -- hundreds of french soldiers have set up quarters in the central african republic capital. they are part of a u.n. mission to restore law and order in a country torn apart by interreligious violence. almost half a million people have fled their home in fear. people are finding refuge wherever they can. >> thousands of christians have soug